#1.Return phone calls within 24 hours.This is probably this most important business protocol to follow.If you will be unable to return calls, have a message stating this or an alternative person to call.

#3.Ask if it’s a good time to talk.You have interrupted someone’s business day.Do not start talking away before asking this.Better yet, if you need to have a long discussion arrange via email a phone appointment time.

#4. Answer the phone with a professional demeanor.State your company and name.“XYZ Company, Mary Lin speaking”.

#5.Take good messages.Be sure to get the person’s name, phone number, a good time to call them back and what the call is regarding.Add the date and time the messages was taken and place note where recipient will see it.(Big issues at home with active household—designate a special area for these notes.)

#6.Keep cell phone conversations private.Go to a private area whether it’s a business or social call.It’s a courtesy to those around you and the person you are talking to.If your conversation will be overheard, say something like:“I’m driving with John to a meeting”.This is especially important if on a speaker phone.

#7.Remember to turn off or put on vibrate the cell phone as appropriate.This includes at meetings, business lunches, important social events, in private clubs, etc.You know how rude that cell phone ring can be.

Basic BlackBerry™ Etiquetteby Corporate Icon™

Here is a basic DO and DON’T list of considerations when using your BlackBerry™

[and other mobile phones]…

DO…

1. Leave off the ringer and use ‘vibrate’ as often as possible.

2. Remove a wired earpiece when speaking to a person in front of you.

Remove wireless earpieces in places of worship, government buildings, funerals,

movies, while dining with others, and on a date. Also, phone OFF = earpiece OFF, it’s not an accessory.

3. Inform the person running a meeting, or the trainer prior to the beginning of a

meeting or training, that you are expecting an “emergency” or “urgent” business

call, then leave phone on ‘vibrate,’ keep it in the holster worn on your body below

table‐level, and leave the room completely before you say “hello.” Sit nearest the

door. Only leave to answer the one expected call.

4. Check for posted rules forbidding cell phones. Let it go to voice mail until you

are able to respond outside of the room or building.

5. Pull off the road when you are not using a hands‐free device, let it go to voice mail if

you cannot pull over or ask them to call back and leave the essential information on

your voice mail.

6. Keep conversations short and at a low volume when there are others around you

within hearing (eating alone or with others in public‐ indoors or on an outdoor

patio, inside any building where there are people within ten feet of you,

5. Type while you walk or drive. (Get out of walking or driving traffic, stop and type.)

6. Place your BlackBerry™or cell phone – that is not turned completely OFF –

on the conference table, on the table during meetings or trainings, on top of someone

else’s desk, in public on a restaurant table top or on top of the bar. (Leave on when everyone understands that you need to be reached by someone who has not yet arrived.)FROM CORPORATE ICON SEMINARS Professional Image & Corporate Etiquette

Touching/Rubbing nose: GIVING YOU ONLY PART OF THE STORY, A "WHITE" LIE OR OUT-RIGHT LIE, THINKS YOU'RE LYING, TOUGH TIME TELLING YOU BUT TELLING THE TRUTH

Rubbing eye: I DON'T SEE IT THAT WAY

Unblinking gaze: THREATENING

One eyebrow raised: SKEPTICAL

Eyes closed while talking: VERY SURE, NOT WANTING ANY OBJECTIONS

Touching/Covering mouth: SOMETHING TO HIDE

Pulling on ear:THEY WOULD LIKE TO RESPOND TO WHAT YOU ARE SAYING SOON BUT YOU WON'T LET THEM GET A WORD IN

Rubbing ear: OBJECTS TO WHAT THEY ARE HEARING

One finger ear/neck scratch: UNSURE

Face leaning on hand: BOREDOM OR TIREDNESS

Rubbing forehead: HEADACHE, SORELY IMPATIENT

Jutting chin out: DOMINANT POSTURING & THREATENING

Lifting chin very high: DOMINANT POSTURING

Adjusting man's shirt cuff or womans purse: NERVOUS ANTICIPATION

Rubbing hands together: EAGER ANTICIPATION

Tapping fingers, pen, foot: IMPATIENT

Seated, hands on knees: IMPATIENT OR READY TO LEAVE

Slapping side of thigh repeatedly: ANXIOUS TO LEAVE

Use these body language 'hints' in context along with the rest of someone's body language and the tone of their voice... If the words they say are different than their body language, believe the body language and tone of voice first- THEN what they are saying.